Metallic molding construction and the like



" G. A, TINNERMAN METALLIC MOLDING CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIKE .Filed Oct. 12, 1937 Dec. 20, 1938.

Emma A- mum/mu I U N-lTED .FSTATES.

PATENT OFFICE;

. 2,140,881 METAHJC momma coNs'mUc'rIoN AND 'rnn mm- George A. .Tinnerman, Rocky River, Ohio, as'signor to Albert II. Tirmcrman, Cleveland, Ohio 7 Application October 12, 1937, Serial No. 168 673 '14 Claims.

provide in an installation in which the respective members arereadily accessible from one side only, an arrangement by which retainer means provided in one of said members is so designed as to facilitate the assembly thereof to a cooperating member and also provide a means.

by which spring clip devices may be quickly applied from the accessible side to secure the members in assembled relation. I

A further object of the invention contemplates an installation the members of which may be assembled and secured entirely from one side;

and comprising a retainer or anchorage means struck and formedfrom one of said members in such manner as to cooperate with a superposed member in assembled relation'to minimize loosening and prevent relative shifting movement of the members, and, at the same time, provide an opening through which spring clip means, or the like, may be applied to the members for securing them in the installation.

A further object of the invention contemplates the provision in such an installation, of

retainer 'means of-suitable design for cooperative engagement with the spring clip securing means' to seat the same in substantially lockedfastening position in the installation.

A more specific object is to provide a molding construction in which the supporting element is provided onits outer face'with retainer means struck and formed therefrom for cooperative engagement within the molding to prevent displacement thereof, and in which the area from which the retainer is struck and formed provides an opening through which spring clip securing means may be applied irom'the under face of the supporting member to rigidly mount the molding thereon.

Further objectsandadvantages of the invention will be apparent to those. skilled in the art as a description thereof proceeds with reference to t a pany g drawins'in' wh c l ke rei- (c1 .1s9-sa) I I V vention in which the retainer provided in a mermcooperating with the erence characters designate like parts throughout the same, and in which Fig. 1 .is a fragmentary perspective of a molding as assembled with a supporting member provided with a retainer element, and showing a clipdevice about to be'applied for securing the members in assembled relation;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the clip device as rotated substantially ninety degrees to locked fastening engagement securing the members; I

Fig. 3' is an edge elevation'of Fig. 1,-parts of the molding being brokenaway to show the .assembled engagement of the molding with the retainer of the supporting member together with elements of the clip cooperating with the retainer in looking fastening position; r s

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 0! Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective of the clip per se;

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of the inber to bemounted is assembled in an aperture in a 'cooperatingsupporting member to prevent displacement and relative shifting movement thereof, the spring clip means being shown as retainer to lock in posi tion'thereby positively securing the members in assembled relation;

' Fig. '7is a'section taken on line 7-4 of Fig. 6; 4 Fig. 8' shows another embodiment of the inventlon in which retainer means are utilized for securing an assembly comprising a member including an initially plastic part such as a rub-- ber mat or tread, and in which the spring clip,

securing such part to the supporting member, is applied through the opening from which a cooperating retainer element is struck and I formed; and- Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of the installation illustrated in Fig. 8 showing retainer means as employed as a concealed reinforcing element for the member including the; plastic part-secured to the supporting member by the spring clip.

In general, the present invention contemplates an installation in which a. member is provided with a retainer element adapted to minimize dis-'- placement and rigidify the assembly thereof with" a cooperating member mounted thereon, and secured by spring clip devices, or the like. In the provision of the retainer element there is necessarily presented an opening through which securing means, such as rotary clips, may be ap-; plied from the accessible side of the opening opposite to that on which the retainerv is disposed to engage in an aligned opening in a cooperating member to positively secure the members in assembled relation. Preferably the retainer elements are provided on the inner, concealed face of thesupporting member and are so designed as to snugly fit in cooperating openings in the member to be mounted. Thus, a retainer element serves as a means facilitating assembly of the members, prevents displacement or shifting movement thereof from assembled relation, and also provides an opening on the outer, exposed face of the supporting member through which rotary spring clip securing means, or the like, may be applied to fastening position and, if desired into locked fastening engagement with the retainer element such that the installation is tight and rigid throughout with little tendency to loosen from applied position due to vibration, jarring and strain such as, for example, takes place in an automobile installation.

In securing superposed members having substantialiy aligned openings readily accessible from one side only, various forms of rotary clip devices have heretofore been employed extensively as the securing means and these installations are now well known. However, without exception, in these prior installations the clip devices alone serve as the securing means and, in many instances, though in proper fastening position do not rigidly retain the assembled members against displacement such that, most often, upon relative shifting movement of the assembled members due to vibration, the securing devices are caused to work loose and become removed from applied fastening position thereby resulting in an inefficient installation and in which the securing devices are practically useless.

In contrast to such constructions, the instant invention provides an arrangement embodying a retainer element by which the assembled memmolding member is generally designated in, the

supporting member 20 and the spring clip securing means 30. The supporting member 20 is provided with a retainer of any suitable outline, but

preferably, comprises a substantially rectangular element obtained by slitting and forming an area of the supporting member out of its plane thereby providing a substantial loop 2| spaced at its longitudinal edges from the supporting member as at 22 and presenting an opening at the outer exposed face of the supporting member 20 through which the spring clip securing means may be applied. Any desired number of such retainer elements areprovided in the supporting member and positioned according to the manner in .which the molding extends throughout the length thereof. The molding may then be assembled to the supporting member with the retainer elements, projecting therefrom, seated in the interior of the molding l0 between the opposed longitudinal edges of the base flanges H, 2 thereof substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A rotary spring clip 30 having preferably camming hook elements 3|, 32, depending from the legs thereof, is then applied to the substantially rectangular opening in the supporting member substantially ninety degrees into the position of locked fastening engagement shown in Fig. 2, the inclined camming surfaces of the hook elements 3|, 32 of the clip engage the base flanges of the molding with progressively increasing force and thereby act as camming elements to draw the parts together in what may be termed a screw tightening action. Preparatory to the turning operation the inclined hook elements 3|, 32 will necessarily seat on the retainer elementin operative position to slots 22 above described, such that when the clip is turned to its ultimate fastening position, the said hooks not only engage the base flanges of the molding to rigidly secure the same to the supporting member,'but also, if so designed, frictionally engage the adjacent straight faces of the retainer element thereby locking theclip in applied fastening position substantially as shown in Fig, 4.

The installation of the molding and supporting member thus effected is a firm, rigid and lasting oneand, as stated, the retainer elements provided in the supporting member for cooperative engagement with: the base flanges of the molding retain the same against displacement and prevent loosening or shifting of the assembly incident to vibration, jarring and strain. In this respect the spring clips securing the members in the installation are not subject to any material degree of strain and accord,- ingly have little tendency to move or to loosen from applied fastening position. This coupled with the fact that the clips may be locked in fastening position by frictional engagement with the retainer element ensures a permanent installation of the members and with little likelihood that the same will become loose or disassociated from assembled relation. When, however, the disassembly of the parts is for any reason desired, this may be readily effected by a simple turning movement of the clip to the position in which the leg elements thereof are out of contact with the base flanges of the molding and in position to be withdrawn through the opening in the supporting member.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that, in the general combination shown, other forms of rotary clips, U-shaped clips and similar securing devices may be employed without departing from the teachings of essential characteristics thereof. However, it has been found that the specific form of clip shown in Fig. 5 is particularly effective and has strip of metal is bent back upon itself at either end of an intermediate base portion 34 in laterally offset relation thereto to provide substantially oppositely extending yieldable head elements 35, 36 disposed at the top face of said body portion 34; thesaid yieldable head elements 35, 35 are further bent to provide leg portions 31,38 which, due to the laterally offset relation of the head elements, are so disposed as tocontact the longitudinal edges of the body portion 34 with the eiiiclent in fastening position. Also, by reason of this construction in which the head sections 35, 36 of the clip extend along the top face of the body portion '34 and in spaced relation thereto, any undue strain which must necessarily take place due to the camming' action of the cam surfacesof thehook elements 3|, 32, drawing the leg portions 31, 38 axially, is readily compensated for by the said yieldable head elements .35, 35 thereby permitting the clip to be readily seated in most effective applied position rigidly securing the superposed parts.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the invention in which a retainer element is utilized to provide rigid engagement of superposed members secured by a rotary clip and otherwise subject to possible shifting or relative movement in an installation. As shown in Fig. 6, the accessible member 4|! is provided-with retainer element 4| designed for cooperative engagement in assembled relation with the side walls of an elongated opening 44 provided in a lower or inaccessible member 43, thereby preventing lateral displacement or relative shifting movementof the assembled members in any direction. Thus,

the retainer element 4| carried by member 40, is

adapted to project beyond the associated lower member 43 thereby presenting elongated slots orspaces 42 through which the rotary clip securing means may be applied from the accessible side of the installation and rotated to locked fastening engagement. It will therefore be seen that the application of the clip in this embodiment otherwise is substantially similar to that described with reference to the form of the invention represented in Figs. 1-4 inclusive. Accordingly, the rotary clip 30 may be applied to the, superposed assembled members 40, 43 with the hook elements 3|, 32 of the securing clip in operative position on the retainer element 4| and the leading cam .edges thereof disposedin the elongated spaces 42 intermediate-the retainer 4| and the adjacent face of the lower member 43. Upon rotation of the clip to fastening position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the cam surfaces'of the hook elements 3|, 3! clamp the superposed members 40, 43 with progressively increasing force in a substantial screw-tightening action. If desired, the retainer 4] may be designed for frictional engagement with the hook elements 3|. 3! of the clip member in final applied position as best seen in Fig. 7, therebyjlocking the clip in such position against loosening or displacement incident to vibration, jarring and strain. Figs. 8 and 9 disclose another embodiment of the invention in which the retainer means struck and formed from a supporting member is utilized to rlgidify and anchor an installation comprising a member including an initially plastic part such as a rubber mat or tread. .In this form of! the,

invention'the supporting member 50 is provided with a retainer 5| struck and formed therefrom in the usual manner. The member to be secured thereto comprises a-metallic member 55 which may be of an area corresponding to that of the plastic part 51 to serve as a base therefor, or compriseindividual plate-like members united to the plastic part at selected points. Preferably, the

member 55 is united to the said plastic part 51 by striking and forming a retainer 56 therefrom to present an opening 59 therein of such size as to snugly receive the retainer 5| provided in the supporting member 50. Thus the retainer 5601 member 55 is adapted to serve as a concealed reinforcing means by which the material of the plastic part '51 may be united thereto in the molding operation. In the said molding operation, suitable mold forms are employed whereby the plastic material is molded in and around the retainer 56, as shown, making due provision ber 50 may be seated and the clip member applied and rotated to fastening position. cordingly, in such an installation with the supporting member 50 provided with a retainer 5| in the usual manner, the member to be secured,

for an enlarged cavity 58, Fig. 8, into which the cooperating retainer 5| of the supporting mem-- comprising base member 55 and plastic part 51 is assembled therewith, with the retainer 5| snugly received in the opening 59, from which the retainer 55 has been formed. Thus, by means of the cooperating retainer-elements 5|, 56 the respective parts are held against displacement or lateral shifting movement and may be rigidly secured in an installation as by spring clip means 3|! in the manner described above with reference to the embodiment of Figs. 1-4 inclusive, and, if desired, with the retainer 5| having locking frictional engagement with the hook elements 3|, 32 of the clip in-applied fastening position substantially as shownin Fig. 9.

While this invention has been described in detail with specific examples such examples are illustrative only, since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may be constructed without departing from the teachings v or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictlv the scope of" the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. Y

What is claimed and desired to be secured by the United States Letters Patent is;

l. A molding construction of the class described comprising, in combination, a molding having an opening on the underside thereof, a supporting member having an element struck therefrom .to

provide an aperture and retainer means havin cooperative engagement in the opening in the .moldlng thereby preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the molding and tion therewith, said second member including an element struck and formed therefrom to providecomprising, in combination, a molding member having an opening on the underside thereof, a supporting member having an element struck therefrom to provide an aperture and retainer means having cooperative engagement in the opening in the molding member thereby preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the members inassembled relation, and

, means receivable in the aperture presented in the supporting member by said element struck therefrom for securing said members in said assembled relation, said means comprising a spring clip having elements clamping the members under spring tension.

4. A combination of the class described, comprising, a member having an opening, and a second member connected thereto in fixed relation therewith, said second member including an element struck and formed therefrom to provide an opening and retainer means having cooperative engagement in the opening in said first member for preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the members in assembled relation, and fastening meansapplied from one side only of the assembly to the opening presented in said second-member by said element struck therefrom and receivable in the openings in both said members for securing the same in assembled relation, said fastening means comprising a spring clip having elements clamping the members in a substantial screw-tightening action and under continuous spring tension.

5. A molding construction of the class described comprising, in combination, a molding having an elongated opening on the underside thereof defined by the longitudinal edges of the base flanges thereof, a supporting member having an element struck therefrom to provide an aperture and retainer means having cooperative engagement with the said longitudinal edges of the base flanges of the molding thereby preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the molding and supporting memberin assembled relation, and means receivable in the aperture presented in the supporting member by said element struck therefrom for securing said molding in assembled relation therewith.

6. A combination of. the class described, comprising, a member provided with an opening having a straight side wall portion, and a second member secured th'ereto in fixed relation therewith, said second member including an element struck and formed therefrom to provide an opening and a retainer means having cooperative engagement with the straight side wall portion of the opening in said first member for preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the members in assembled relation, and fastening means applied from one side only of the '7. A molding construction of the class d scribed, comprising in combination, a molding having an elongated opening on the underside thereof defined by the longitudinal edges of the base flanges thereof, a supporting member having an element struck therefrom to provide an aperture and retainer means having cooperative engagement with the said longitudinal edges of the base flanges of the moldingthereby preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the molding and supporting member in assembled relation, and a fastening device receivable in the aperture presented in the supporting member by said element struck therefrom for securing said molding in assembled. relation therewith, said fastening device cooperating with the retainer means to rigidly seat in applied position.

8. A combination of the class described, comprising, a member provided with an opening having a straight side wall portion, a second member secured thereto in fixed relation therewith, said second member including an element struck and formed therefrom to provide an opening and a retainer means having cooperative engagement with the said straight side wall portion of the opening in said first member for preventing dis placement and relative shifting movement of the members in assembled relation, and a fastening device applied from one side only of the assembly to the opening presented in said second member by said element struck therefrom and receivable in the openings in both said members for securing the same in assembled relation, said fastening device comprising elements having cooperative engagement with saidretainer means to rigidly seat in applied position.

9. A molding construction of the class described comprising, in combination, a molding member having an opening on the underside thereof, a supporting member having an element struck therefrom to provide an aperture and retainer means having cooperative engagement in the,

with. said second member includingan element struck and formed therefrom to provide an opening and retainer means having cooperative engagement in the opening in said first member for preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the members in assembled relation, and fastening means applied from one side only of the assembly to the opening presented in said second member by said element struck therefrom and receivable in the openings in both said members for securing the same in assembled relaltion, said fastening means comprising a rotary spring clip having yieldable head sections carrying camming hook elements clamping the members in a substantial screw-tightening action an under continuous spring tension.

11. A molding construction of the class described comprising, in combination, a molding having an elongated opening on the underside I amass-r thereof defined by the longitudinal edges or the base fianges thereof, asupporting member having'an element strucktherefrom 'to provide an aperture and retainer means having cooperative engagement with the said longitudinal edges of the base flanges of the molding thereby preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the molding and supporting member in assembled relation, and a fastening device receivable in the aperture presented in the supporting, member by said element struck therefrom for securing said molding in assembledrelation therewith, said fastening device comprising a spring clip having elements cooperating with the retainer means to rigidly seat in applied position and clamping said 'molding and supporting member under spring tension. I

12. A combination of the class described, comprising, a member provided with an opening having a straight side wall portion, a second member secured thereto in fixed relation therewith,

said second member including an element struck and formed therefrom to provide an opening and a retainer means having cooperative engagement with thesaid straightwall portion of the opening in said first member for preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the members in assembled relation, and a fastening device applied from one side only of the assembly to the opening presented in said second member by said element struck therefrom and receivable in the openings of both said members for securing the same in. assembled relation, said fastening device comprising a spring clip having elements 'disposed in cooperative engagement with-said retainer means to rigidly seat in applied position and clamping said members under continuous spring tension.

13. The combination comprising a pair of members to be secured in fixed relation, elements struck and formed from both said members to provide openings and retainer means therein, the retainer of one of said members having cooperative engagement in theopening provided in the other of said members for preventing displacement and relative shifting movement of the memapplied to the assembly from the side opposed to the retainer means-and receivable in the openings inboth said members for'securing the same in assembled relation, said fastening means com-- bers inassembled relation, and fastening means to the retainer of said other member, and fastening means applied to the assembly from the side opposed to the retainer means and receivable in the openings in both said members for securing the same in assembled relation.

GEORGE A. 'I'INNERMAN. 

